Page 126 of Her Selfless Warrior (Omega Sky)
EPILOGUE
“He looksgood with a bit of a beard,” her mother said as she bumped her shoulder. Lark looked over to where Kostya was sitting cross-legged on the grass with little Nazy. She was putting a tiny crown on his head and he was sitting up straight and smiling, just like any good princess would.
Irina handed Lark a cupcake. “Eat this. You’ve been running around all day. You need nourishment.”
“After the meal that we had last night, I couldn’t eat ’til now,” Lark said as she started peeling back the cupcake wrapper. “Mmm, red velvet. Mom, whoever you have to cater these events, you should double their wage. Did you know red velvet is Kostya’s favorite?”
“Yep, I sure do. Irina told me. I love it when I can spoil people with things they like.”
Lark had her cupcake up to her lips for a second bite when it hit her. “Oh my God, you’re Kostya’s source!”
“Huh?” Irina asked. “What do you mean source?”
“Kostya has been spot on from the start, making sure he has taken me to every kind of restaurant that I would love. Hell, he even knew about my love for sausage McMuffins! You told him, didn’t you, Mom?”
“You are such a good little investigative journalist,” her mother teased as she pinched her cheek.
Irina howled with laughter. “You two remind me of me and Lexi.”
Lark turned to Irina and mouthed the words, ‘I told you so.’ Kostya’s sister had been nervous about meeting her mother, somehow thinking that because Mom was a billionaire she’d be all snooty. But she wasn’t. She was just Mom.
“Let’s go sit down in the shade,” Beatrice suggested. “I don’t know about you two, but the kids have wiped me out.”
“I’m sorry,” Irina said as she winced.
“Are you kidding, I enjoyed every minute of it,” Beatrice said. While Irina and Beatrice settled down under the pergola, Lark went to pour them all some lemonade. “I’ve got to say, Irina, I adore your children. And your daughter Lexi? She is wonderful with those two girls. They are going to want to be just like her when they grow up. Taja is already wearing those cute pink jeans she brought for her.”
Irina smiled with pride as she looked over at her daughter with Taja.
“Are you getting me a glass?” Kostya asked as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
“There’s also strawberry lemonade, iced tea, or beer for you to choose from.” Lark arched back and kissed his neck. He smelled good, but…
“Is that cream cheese frosting on your neck?”
“Probably. I’m betting it’s in my hair and beard too. Nazy was eating one of the cupcakes and the frosting got everywhere,” Kostya laughed.
“So, what would you like to drink? I think that the iced tea would make a nice pairing with the cream cheese,” she teased.
“I’m sold.”
She finished pouring the lemonades and Kostya picked them up. “Are these two for Irina and your mom?”
“Yep.”
“I’ll take them. Why don’t you go grab that swing over there before Lexi steals it.”
Lark looked over at the cushioned swing that had been hanging from the old weeping willow for as long as she could remember. “She’s too busy playing with Taja, but I’m definitely going to claim it.” She nodded and took her lemonade and his iced tea across the lawn. It was perfect because she could still watch Lexi and Roman play with the girls. Roman had taken Kostya’s place and was now having a tea party with Nazy. He was holding one of her stuffed animals and helping it hold its teacup. He was almost as adorable as Kostya.
Kostya sat down beside her and took his iced tea.
“Look, Samira is sitting next to your mom and my sister. There is no way that would have happened a few months ago.”
“You’re right about that.” His voice drifted off and Lark saw that he was watching Roman. She loved the fact that in the last few months since she had moved in with him, he had talked about his brother Roman with fondness. He’d even brought up some good memories of his mother and father.
Kostya wrapped his arm around her shoulders and Lark leaned into his side. Hell, a few months ago it never would have occurred to her that she would be plastered against a big man, here in the sun on her mother’s estate, but here she was, and she reveled in it.
“Are you having a good time?” he asked.
